Sunday, November 20, 2011

I've just posted my new blog last night stating that I may not see the first snow this winter because soon, I'd be off to the tropical islands where I came from. And then early this afternoon today as I was writing another blog, I glanced out through the window, and the white ground caught my eyes. My first thought was that the asphalted parking space got rid of its moisture and turned dry. But how could it be when the air was gloomy and icy? I looked closely at the air, then realized that little snows were falling. I exclaimed joyfully and ran outside to feel the snowflakes and the wintry coldness of this day. Shortly, the flakes became bigger and more numerous. And I savored the satisfaction of being able to see and feel the first snow right before my departure. The snowfall was short-lived but it was enough to create a lasting memory. It was a harbinger of the third winter in my life.

That's one of my simple pleasures. The magical effect of snow on one's psyche. I never get over the fascination of watching the falling snow and letting it touch my skin.

Ah, life, despite its dark days, is sweet and beautiful! What a wonderful gift from our loving Creator!

How swiftly time flies! I've been immersed in so many activities that I barely noticed how all the colorful foliages have gone in what seemed like seconds. Suddenly I came face to face with all the yellow leaves blanketing the ground. The thought of their falling so fast may be saddening and yet, their "fall" has created delightful sceneries.

I've been into important humanitarian works, accepted some extra jobs from our company, and traveled to the far south to attend the wedding of our friends and photo-cover the entire occasion.

Now I'm in the middle of preparing for a short vacation to my home country, which will be my first homecoming after two years in the north pole. I'll be going with my hubby and a male friend who will be traveling to Asia for the first time. I've been missing my family all these years, and I'm so excited to see them again.

Thus, for three weeks I'll be away from this place I've come to love and the people I've learned to care about, whom I will surely miss too, but I will be with my loved ones. But being away from this place for a while doesn't really matter because these are the days when the things in nature that I love have gone to sleep, none of the usual colors and beauty remaining. Everything is just waiting for winter, which is about to knock on the door. But I may miss the first snowfall this winter. Last year, the first snow came in mid-October, but now, no snow has come yet, though some mornings are frosty and all the leaves and grass are beautifully covered or lined with frosts and ice crystals.

In such condition, I will leave this place and go to the warm tropics where I came from. There, I will enjoy my moments in the sun (but honestly, I prefer cold places), visit some beaches and be with my beloved mountains where my city of origin lies. I will be there, but I will also take my precious memories here with me and share them to my loved ones. There will be lots of stories to tell them, lots of experiences and observations about places which are a far cry from a third-world country.

Until then, I still have much memories to store here, which I have neglected on account of my hectic workloads. I also have lots of pictures to post in my other blog, My Nature Photography . I know I keep getting behind in posting, but better late than never. So I will try to post them one at a time, starting here and on to my long flight and even during my vacation in the Philippines. And when I'm back here again, I know there will be heaps of new memories to treasure.